_S3e.Tvvi  ^ 


2Tf)r  JL^i'jiQTJom  of  (Cljn'st 


A 


SERMON, 

PREACHED  IN  THE  SEAMEN’S  CHAPEI. 


HONOLULU,  MAY  23,  1852; 


BEFORE  THE 


HAWAIIAiV  3IISSIONARY  SOCIETY. 


By  Rev.  BENJ.  W.  PARKER. 


HONOLULU,  OAHU: 
1853. 


PUBLISHED  BY  REQ.UEST. 


■.:■•  I v'-‘  . 


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SERMON. 


l*SAi-M.s  'i:  S. 

.VSK  OF  .Mi:,  A.\D  I SHALL  (JIVE  THEE  THE  HEATHEX  lOll 
THINE  IXHERI  I'ANCE.  AM)  THE  rm:RMO.ST  I’AUTS  OF 
THE  EAR  I’ll  FOR  TiIV  I’USSESSIOX. 

This  psal  n is  strictly  a prophetical  one.  Nearly  all 
evangelical  commentators  agree,  that  it  relates  directly, 
primarily  and  e.xcliisively  to  Christ  and  his  kingdom. 
The  attributes,  applied  to  the  subject  of  the  prophecy, 
are  applicable  to  no  earthly  king.  He  is  in  a preemin- 
ent sense,  the  Lord’s  Anointed,  the  Lord’s  Son,  the 
Lord’s  King,  ‘ri  have  set  my  King  upon  my  holy  hill 
of  Zion.”  “Thou  art  mv  Son.”  “The  kings  of  the 
earth  set  themselves,  and  the  rulers  take  counsel  to- 
gether. against  the  Lord  and  against  his  Anointed. 
Blessed  are  al!  they  that  put  their  trust  in  liim.”  It  is 
promised  that  the  reign  of  the  predicted  king  shall  be 
co-e.xtensive  with  the  earth.  Unlike  the  kingdoms  of 
this  world,  the  promised  dominion  is  not  limited  to  a 
tribe,  a country,  or  a nation.  Tlie  predicted  kingdom 
is  a universal  onp.  The  nations  of  the  earth  are  its 
promised  subjects.  The  remotest  parts  of  the 
earth,  come  within  its  promised  boundaries.  “Ask  of 
tne  and  I shall  give  thee  the  heathen  for  thine  inheri- 
tance and  the  utter  most  parte  of  the  earth  for  thy  pos- 
session.” 

We  may  therefore  regard  ,t he  te.vt,  as  a prophetic 
promise,  made  on  the  part  of  God  the  Father  to  Christ, 
that  in  his  exalted  regal  character  as  King  over  Zion. 
hiA  reign  should  be  universally  extended,  and  all  na- 


4 


tions  become  the  subjects  of  his  government.  Witl.  this 
explanation  of  the  passage  we  are  introducefl  to  the 
subject  of  our  discourse, 

The  Kingdom  of  Christ. 

And  your  attention  is  invited  to  the  following  topics 
suggested  for  consideration. 

r.  The  nature  of  Christ's  kingdom. 

II.  The  opposition  it  encounters. 

III.  Its  final  universal  extent. 

IV\  The  agency  by  which  it  is  to  be  universally 
extended. 

Our  first  general  topic  is, 

The  nature  of  Christ's  kingdom. 

The  prophetic  writers  foretold  that  the  Messiah 
would  come  in  the  character  of  a great  and  glorious 
Iluler.  All  the  oriental  ensigns  of  royalty  cluster  around 
the  person  of  the  promised  Saviour  <;f  the  world.  He 
IS  seated  on  a throne,  girded  with  a sword.  He  holds 
a sceptre.  He  is  clad  in  royal  robes.  He  wears  the 
regal  diadem.  Of  Him  the  proi)Iiet  said,  ‘-The  govern- 
ment shall  be  upon  his  shoulders.  Of  the  increase  of 
his  goverment  and  peace  there  shall  be  no  end.”  And 
when  the  angel  announced  his  advent  as  about  to  take 
place,  the  language  used  to  describe  his  regal  charac- 
ter was,  “He  shall  be  great,  the  Lord  sliall  give  unto 
him  the  throne  of  his  father  David,  and  he  shall  reign 
over  the  house  of  Jacob  forever,  and  of  his  kingdom 
there  sliall  be  no  end.”  And  when  in  the  fullness  of 
time  God  sent  forth  his  Son,  his  introduction  was  herald- 
ed bv  his  Messenger  calling  to  repentance  and  reforma- 
tion of  life,  “For  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand.” 

We  can  hardly  fail  to  have  right  views  of  Christ  and 
his  kingdom,  if  we  notice  tjie  manner  in  which  the  scrip- 
tures S|)cak  of  him  and  his  reign.  He  was  predicted  a 
king;  but  he  is  king  over  Zion  Said  the  profihel, 
“Tell  ye  the  daughter  of  Zion,  behold  thy  king  cometh 
he  is  meek,  and  having  salvation.”  He  was  predicted  a 


■5 


prince,  but  be  iS  a pinice  of  peace,  a ruler,  but  he 
rules  over  tlie  bouse  of  Israel.  He  lias  a kiiiiidom,  but 
!l  is  a kingdom  not  of  this  world.  It  is  the  kingdom 
of  heaven. 

The  e.\i)rcssions,  kingdom  of  heaven,  kingdom  of  God, 
kingdom  of  Chri.st  are  synoiionious  terms.  They  are 
used  in  the  New  Testament  in  allusion  to  the  jiredic- 
tions  of  the  prophets.  Daniel  in  his  interpretation  of 
the  vision  of  the  four  monarchies  that  should  arise, 
foretold  that  the  God  of  heaven  would  set  up  a king- 
dom, which  sliould  never  be  destroyed,  and  in  allusion 
to  these  prophecies,  these  e.vpressions  are  often  used 
to  designate  the  introduction,  progress  and  prevalence 
of  the  gospel.  It  is  the  reign  of  heaven.  It  is  called 
the  kingdom  of  heaven,  because,  1.  Its  origin  was  in 
heaven.  Its  author,  its  head,  its  laws  are  from  heaven  and 
tlie  great  design  of  this  kingdom  is  to  prepare  the  way 
to  heaven,  and  when  prepared  to  make  it  known,  and 
when  made  known  to  lead  men  in  the  way  to  heaven. 
It  will  make  all  its  true  subjects,  heirs  to  an  eternal  in- 
heritance in  heaven. 

;2.  It  is  called  the  kingdom  of  God;  for  it  is  the  rle- 
velopment  of  God’s  plan  for  the  world’s  salvation.  By 
this  kingdom,  as  the  instrument.  He  will  break  the 
power  of  Satan,  subdue  the  god  of  tliis  world,  over- 
turn and  destroy  the  kingdom  of  darkness  and  sin, 
break  the  chains  which  hold  the  nations  of  the 
earth  in  bondage,  in  darkness,  in  subjection  to  sin  and 
satan,  and  will  overturn  and  overturn  among  the  no- 
tions of  the  eartli,  till  the  song  of  the  heavenly  choir  shall 
echo  from  every  part  of  the  earth  saying,  ‘'The  kingdoms 
of  this  world,  are  become  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord 
and  of  his  Christ,  and  he  shall  reign  forever  and  ever.’’ 

3.  Christ's  kingdom  is  a spiritual  kingdom.  He  bv 
his  laws  reigns  over  the  hearts  of  his  subjects.  It  is 
the  reign  of  God  in  the  soul.  It  subdues  sin,  establish- 
es its  dominion  over  the  passions  of  men  bringing  th.e 
thoughts  into  captivity  to  the  obedience  of  Christ. 

1* 


The  weapons  of  warfare  in  Ciirist*s  klngrlom  are  Splril- 
ual  weapons.  Its  first  great  and  glorious  triumph  was 
made  by  the  abundant  effusion  of  the  Spirit  on  the  as* 
sembled  disciples  at  Jerusalem;  and  all  its  conquests, 
and  all  its  progress,  both  in  Christian  and  heathen  lands 
are  achieved  by  the  same  agent,  by  the  Spirits  coming 
down  "Like  rain  upon  the  mown  grass  and  like  show- 
ers that  water  the  earth.” 

4.  Christ’s  kingdom  is  a kingdom  oflight.  Light  in 
the  scripture  sense  of  the  word.  Its  author  is  the 
"Light  of  the  world.”  And  where  he  went,  those  who 
before  sat  in  darkness  saW  great  light,  and  to  those  who 
before  sat  in  the  region  and  shadow  of  death,  light 
sprung  up.  The  subjects  of  Christ’s  kingdom  are  chil- 
dren of  light,  children  of  the  day.  They  have  been 
translated  from  the  kingdom  of  darkness  into  the  king- 
dom of  light.  They  have  no  fellowship  with  the  un- 
fruitful works  of  darkness.  They  are  clad  in  the  ar- 
mor of  light.  They  walk  in  tlie  light,  for  Christ  their 
light  is  cotne. 

Such  is  Christ’s  kingdom.  It  is  heavenly.  It  is  the 
kingdom  of  God.  It  is  spiritual.  It  is  a kingdom  of 
light.  And  it  will  give  light,  and  life,  and  peace,  and 
joy,  and  happiness  to  all  its  true  subjects. 

It  was  with  such  views  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ, 
that  the  prophets  call  it  “Beautiful  for  situation,  the  joy 
of  the  whole  earth,  is  Mount  Zion  the  city  of  our  God.” 
Under  the  influence  of  Christ’s  reign,  they  saw  in  vision 
the  wilderness  bud  and  blossom  as  the  rose.  The  hap- 
piness, peace,  .security  and  universal  prosperity  which 
is  to  be  enjoyed  under  this  reign,  is  most  graphically 
described  by  the  prophet  Isaiah  Where  he  .‘'ays,  “The 
wolf  shall  dwell  W’ith  the  lamb,  and  the  leopard  shall 
lie  down  with  the  kid,  and  the  calf  and  the  young  lion 
and  the  falling  together,  and  a little  child  shall  lead 
them;  and  the  cow  and  the  bear  shall  feed,  their  young 
ones  sliall  lie  down  together,  and  the  lion  shall  eat  straw 
like  the  ox,  and  the  sucking  child  shall  play  on  the 


7 


I hole  ol' the  asp,  and  tlie  weaned  chdd  shall  put  his  hand 
I on  the  cockatrice  den:  they  shall  not  hurt  nor  destroy 

I in  all  iny  holv  mountain,  for  the  earth  shall  he  full  of  the 
knowledge  of  the  Lord  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea.” 

In  the  picture  here  drawn  by  the  evangelical  prop- 
[ het,  he  had  his  eye  fi.\ed  n|ion  the  lime  of  tin;  Messiah’s 

i reiiin.  He  saw  that  such  a scene  would  oerciir.  Un- 

Ider  the  mild  reign  of  the  Prince  of  [>ear(>  tiiere  would 
he  a state  of  things  that  wmdd  he  well  rr  presented  by 
the  Wolf  dwelling  with  the  land),  the  leopard  lying 
down  with  the  kid,  and  a little  child  safe  in  their 

Itnidst. 

But  let  ns  pass  on  and  consider, 

II.  The  opposition  whu)  the  kinp^dom  of  Christ 
encounters. 

Bill  where  is  the  ground  for  opposition?  Why, 
what  evil  h-th  he  done?  Why  do  the  nations  rage? 
Why  do  the  people  imagine  a vain  thing?  Why  do 
the  kiniis  of  the  earth  consult  together,  the  Rulers  take 
counsel  against  the  Lord  and  against  his  Anointed? 
Why  should  such  a Ruler  such  a kingdom,  be  the  sub-* 
ject  of  opposition.  When  we  look  at  the  glorious, 
character  of  the  Prince  of  peace,  the  universal  prosperi-* 
ty  and  happiness  under  his  reign;  we  almost  involun-* 
tardy  say,  that  every  knee  w ill  bow,  aj)d  every  tongue  con^ 

' fess.  and  all  lips  unite  in  saying,  “Hosannah  to  the  king 
of  Zion,  blessed  be  he  that  cometh  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord.” 

But  prophecy  and  history,  the  history  of  Christ  and 
the  church,  all  history  of  evangelical  Missions  all  ag- 
gressive attempts  on  the  part  of  the  church,  compel  us 
to  admit  that  the  reign  of  Christ  is  the  subject  of 
mighty  opposition.  There  is  enmity  between  the 
seed  of  the  woman  and  the  seed  of  the  serpent. 

The  possessions  promised  to  Christ  for  his  inheritance 
ore  preoccupied  and  strongly  fortified.  The  God  of 
this  world  has  set  up  his  throne.  The  powers  of  dark- 


8 


wJs  rule.  The  prince  of  tlie  power  of  the  air  works 
til  the  children  of  disohedieiice,  and  in  every  aggressive 
iiiovemeiit  of  the  church,  satan  and  his  emissaries 
wii!  bring  strong  forces  to  oppose  the  setting  up  and 
progress  of  Clirist’s  kingdor.i.  Tlie  language  used  by 
the  sacred  writers  when  describing  thfs  opposition  isex- 
pr^'ssive  of  great  strcngtli  and  power.  A*  its  head  is  a 
rulef.  a prince,  a god.  d'he  dragon,  the  beast,  the  false 
prophet,  Antichrist,  are  tlie  significant  characteristic 
terms  employed  to  express  the  opposing  power,  and 
the  strength  with  wiiich  they  maiiitiiin  their  do- 
minion over  their  possessions  is  e.vpn.ssed  by  “Strong 
bolds,  principalities  and  powers.” 

We  have  time  only  to  notice  briefly,  some  of  the 
forms  of  opposition  widch  are  arrayed  against  the  pro- 
gress of  Christ’s  kingdom. 

One  form  of  opposition  is  false  svstorns  of  religion. 
Mote  than  500,000,000  of  the  human  family  are  pagan 
idolaters.  The  first  eft’orts  of  the  church  to  spread  the 
gospel  encountered  this  form  of  op|iositioii.  Those 
who  [uiblished  it  were  denounced  as  fle.serving  impris- 
onment and  death.  Those  who  embraced  it,  were 
subject  to  violent  prosecutions  imprisonment  and  to 
death.  And  in  our  own  times  tlie  names  of  Lyman 
and  Munson  aed  H’^ilbams  are  recorded  as  victims  to 
the  spirit  of  hostility  to  the  princif  les  of  Christ’s 
kingdom.  And  at  the  present  time  the  shores  of  Mad- 
agascar are  scarcely  dried  from  the  blood  of  those  who 
have  died  for  forsaking  ['agaii  worship  and  embracing 
the  gospel  of  the  kingdom  of  God.  Ihiiran  idolatry  is 
one  of  the  strong  holds  of  opposition  to  Christ  and  his 
kingdom.  It  is  streiigtliened  hv  the  !j:n>wth  of  ages, 
fortified  bv  prejudice  asid  ihe  [protection  of  laws,  by 
the  [lower  of  [iriesthood.  It  is  snp[)orted  by  false  wis- 
dom, science  filsely  so  called.  Iiy  a ststeni  of  pagan 
|)liiloso[)hy;  contrary  to  llie  gos[u  l.  and  tlie  inllueiice  of 
which  is  to  [irevcnt  the  [irogress  of  Iriitli. 

7’he  religion  of  the  false  prophet  is  another  form  of 


9 


opposition  to  the  King;lotii  of  Christ.  More  than  Ii2(),- 
OOO  0(H)  of  our  race  are  the  suhjects  of  Mahomedaii 
delusion.  'Phis  delusive  system  is  a strong  hold  of  the 
kingdom  of  darkness.  Its  followers  are  stnmgly  en- 
cased in  their  system  of  t rror,  and  where  this  s\stem 
prevails,  the  Missionary  of  the  cross  has  hitiierto  luid 
little  access.  A recent  writer  sa>s  that  ‘More  nations 
have  heeii  converted  iVom  paganism  than  individuals 
from  Mahomedanism.” 

Another  form  of  o|>position  to  the  kingdom  of  Christ 
is  a eorrupt  Christianity.  Popery  has  not  inappiopria'ely 
heen  called  a “haptized  paganism.”  It  opp<  si  th  an<l  < x- 
alteth  itself  ahove  all  that  is  calh-d  Cod.  W’v  are  all 
familiar  with  the  history  of  its  op|<ositioii  to  the  spread 
of  a juire  gospel;  and  1 nt  ed  not  allude  to  the  \ii.l(>nt 
|>ersecutions  and  death  of  [uotestain  Christians  in  IIol- 
! land  in  France  and  in  England.  And  what  is  it.  hut 
I the  same  spirit  of  oppositif)u  to  the  gospel  that  has  pro- 
hibited the  opening  of  a protestant  chapel  in  Home, 
suppresses  an  edition  of  the  New  Testament,  imprisons 
one  for  teaching  the  common  |)eoy)le  to  read  the  Bible, 
and  another  for  the  circulation  of  religious  tracts,  and 
('.viles  those  found  r(>ading,  believing  and  embracing 
tire  truths  of  the  New  Testament.  \ recent  writer 
from  Rome  says  “th.e  inquisition  is  in  lull  operation 
there.  An  edition  of  :R)0U  copues  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment has  been  taken  to  the  rooms  of  the  im|uisition, 
and  any  man  found  with  the  New  Testament  is  impris- 
oned, and  if  a forei.;ner,  sent  out  of  the  country.”  It 
was  stated  in  a late  meeting  of  the  Evangelical  Allian- 
ce in  London  by  a minister  who  had  spent  sometime 
in  Italy,  that  the  great  number  of  persons  imprisoned, 
there  for  reading  the  B ble  cannot  be  known.  Every 
thing  of  the  kind  is  suppressed.  Another  writer  says,  in 
Tuscany  some  are  imprisoned  and  more  are  condemned 
to  perpetual  banishment.  In  the  kingdom  of  Naples 
more  than  300  are  in  the  galleys  for  having  dared  to 
oppose  themselves  to  the  supremacy  of  the  pope. 


10 


Wherever  this  system  of  corrupt  Christianity  has  been 
nitroduce.l  into  any  country,  it  presents  a formidable 
barrier  to  the  kingdom  of  Christ. 

Another  source  of  opposition,  is  the  condition  of 
those  among  whom  the  gospel  is  to  be  introduced,  and 
Christ’s  spiritual  kingdom  set  up. 

The  condition  of  all  heatlien  nations  is  one  of  dark- 
ness, sin,  degradation.  It  is  so  represented  in  the 
Bible.  They  vvalk  in  darkness,  sit  in  darkness.  They 
are  ignorant  of  the  true  God,  and  of  all  the  truths  that 
relate  to  a future  state.  They  desire  not  the  knowl- 
edge of  God.  Professing  to  be  wise,  they  became 
fools.  They  do  not  like  to  retain  God  in  their  knowl- 
edge, and  so  God  gives  them  over  to  a reprobate  mind. 
They  are  tilled  with  unrighteousness,  wickedness,  full 
of  envy,  murder,  debate,  deceit,  haters  of  God,  proud, 
boasters,  inventors  of  evil  things,  without  understand- 
ing, without  natural  affection,  implacable,  unmerciful. 
Tills  is  the  character  given  by  the  apostle  of  the  ancient 
heathen  nations;  and  the  same  character  applies  to 
the  heathen  nations  of  Africa  and  Asia  and  the  isles  of 
the  Sea,  at  the  present  lime.  It  is  a condition  entirely 
at  variauee  with,  and  opposed  to  the  pure  and  heavenly 
and  lioty.  and  enlightening,  and  elevating  intiuences 
of  the  gospel. 

Another  form  of  opposition  to  Christ’s  kingdom  is,  the 
iudilference  of  the  church  to  the  work  of  sending  the 
gospel  to  all  nations. 

Tiiere  is  in  a fiortion  of  the  church,  an  apathy  to  the 
work  of  the  world’s  conversion  to  Christ.  It  is  the  op- 
position r>f  the  inbabtants  of  Moroz  of  ohi.  They  came 
not  up  to  thehcl()  of  the  Lord.  It  is  the  opjiosition  of 
certain  nobles,  who  when  Nehemiah  rejiaircd  the  walls 
of  Jerusalem,  ‘-They  [>ut  not  their  necks  to  tlie  work 
of  their  Ta>rd.”  It  may  seem  to  some  too  harsh  a term  to 
call  this  indifference  opposition  to  the  kingdom  of 
Clirist.  But  how  does  tlie  Saviour  regard  it?  “lie 
ifiat  is  not  with  me  is  against  me,  and  he  that  gallicr- 


11 


eth  not  with  me  scattereth  abroad.  It  was  indirter- 
ence  that  doomed  the  unprofitable  servant  to  outer 
darkness.  Ye  gave  me  no  meat.  Ye  gave  me  no 
dnnk.  Ye  took  me  not  in.  Ye  clothed  me  not.  Ye 
visited  me  not.  These  are  charges  only  for  neglect, 
indifference.  There  was  on  the  part  of  those  against 
whom  they  were  preferred,  no  benevolent  efi'ort  for  the 
good  of  others.  And  how  were  the  inhabitants  of 
Meroz  regarded  for  their  indifi'erence  to  the  Lord’s 
work?  Let  the  anathema  answer,  “Curse  ye  Meroz, 
said  the  angel  of  the  Lord,  curse  ye  bitterly  the  inhabi- 
tants thereof,  because  they  came  not  up  to  the  help  of 
the  Lord,  to  the  help  of  the  Lord  against  the  mighty. 

There  is  in  the  church  much  unbelief  as  to  the  work 
ol  the  world’s  conversion  to  Christ.  Some  think  the 
time  has  not  come  to  engage  earnestly  in  this  great 
work.  Some  think  that  God  will  take  the  work  into 
his  own  hands,  and  destroy  literally  the  heathen  na- 
tions. Some  think  that  Christ  will  come  and  reign 
personally  on  earth,  and  then  the  gospel  will  spread 
and  prevail  rapidly  throughout  the  world.  Such  views 
are  inconsistent  with  immediate,  vigorous,  devoted, 
hopeful  eftbrts  for  the  conversion  of  the  world.  But 
what  has  the  Christian  to  do  with  the  time  when,  ami 
the  precise  way  in  which  God  will  open  the  way  for 
the  introduction  of  the  gospel  to  every  people,  and  set 
up  his  kingdom  among  all  nations.  These  the  Father 
hath  reserved  in  his  own  power.  Is  he  not  now  speak- 
ing to  the  nations  in  his  wrath,  and  vexing  them  in  his 
sore  displeasure,  breaking  them  in  pieces  with  a rod  of 
iron.  Whatever  may  be  the  designs  of  God  as  to  the 
nations  of  the  earth,  there  can  be  no  doubt  as  to  the 
immediate  duly  of  the  whole  Christian  Church.  “Preach 
the  gospel  to  every  creature.  Be  steadfast,  unmoveable, 
always  abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord.'’ 

Every  form  of  opposition  will  yield  to  the  power  of 
the  gospel.  It  must  and  will  be  carried  to  every  heath- 
en land,  to  every  pagan  tribe.  It  may  be  by  a great 


12 


sacrifice  of  life,  valuable,  precious  life.  We  may  hear 
of  many  more  scenes  like  those  of  Sumatra,  Era- 
manga  and  Madagascar.  Many  may  die  in  the 
struggle  and  before  theory  of  victory  is  heard,  but  the 
work  will  go  on,  the  strong  holds  will  crumble.  China 
with  its  proud  and  haughty  son  of  heaven,  was  not  too 
strong  to  be  broken  in  pieces,  and  thrown  open  to  the 
labours  of  Christian  missionaries.  An  American  Mis- 
sionary who  has  been  more  than  twenty  years  in  China 
in  a recent  letter  from  there  says,  “We  must  (and  God 
helping  us  we  will)  sow  the  good  seed,  preach  the 
word,  fill  the  land  with  bibles  and  tracts  and  schools 
and  churches.” 

Let  us  pass  to  our  third  general  topic, 

III.  The  final  universal  extent  of  Christ's  kingdom. 

The  language  of  the  text  is  too  plain  to  require  much 
comment  or  explanation.  “I  shall  give  thee  the  heathen 
for  thine  inheritance,  and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth 
for  thy  possession.”  The  kingdom  of  Christ  is  pre-emi- 
nently an  unlimited  one.  Unlimited  in  its  duration.  Un- 
limited in  the  number  of  its  subjects.  Unlimited  in  its 
extent. 

Of  its  duration,  the  language  of  the  Bible  is,  it 
shall  never  be  destroyed,  it  shall  stand  forever,  of 
his  dominion  there  shall  be  no  end.  “He  shall  reign 
forever  and  ever.  His  dominion  is  an  everlasting  domin- 
ion, which  shall  not  pass  away  and  his  kingdom  that 
which  shall  not  be  destroyed.” 

Of  its  numerical  extent,  the  language  of  the  Bible  is, 
“All  people,  nations  and  languages  shall  serve  him, 
Gentiles  shall  come  to  thy  light  and  kings  to  the  bright- 
ness of  thy  rising.  All  shall  know  the  Lord.”  In  his 
vision  of  the  redeemed,  John  saw  a great  multitude 
“which  no  man  could  number  out  of  all  nations  and 
kindreds  and  people  and  tongues.” 

Of  the  geographical  extent  of  Christ’s  kingdom,  the 
text  is  expressive.  It  includes  within  its  boundaries 
all  nations,  the  remotest  portions  of  the  earth.  It  is 


13 


■ttot  limilctl  to  ceiitincutor  islatxl,  to  temperate  or  ton  iU 
zone,  to  civilized  nations  or  savage  tribes.  It  embrac- 
es within  its  limits  tlie  sable  sons  of  Africa,  the  savage 
canibal  of  Polynesia  the  half  civilized  Asiatic,  the  civiliz- 
ed and  cultivated  European. 

That  such  is  to  be  the  final  extent  of  Christ’s  king- 
dom is  ap|)arent, 

1.  From  the  language  xy{  propliecy.  The  glorious 
triumph  of  Christ’s  kingdom  over  all  x)pposiiion,  and  its 
final  universal  extent,  were  the  theme  of  |)rophetic  rajh 
Mire  both  in  tire  Old  and  New  Testament.  We  can 
mention  only  a few  of  the  many  passages  which  speak 
of  its  extent.  “He  shall  have  dominion  from  sea  to  sea, 
from  the  river  to  the  ends  of  earth.  From  the  rising  oi' 
the  sun  to  the  going  down  of  the  same,  my  name  shall 
be  great  among  the  Gentries.  The  earth  shall  be  filled 
with  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  as  the  waters  cover  the 
sea.  The  stone  cut  out  of  the  mountain  without 
hands,  became  a great  mountain,  and  filled  the  whole 
earth.  The  Lord  shall  be  king  over  all  the  earth.” 

'2.  The  universal  extent  of  Christ’s  kingdom  is  evideirt 
from  his  own  instructions. 

He  taught  his  disciples  that  the  wall  of  partition  be- 
tween Jew  aixl  Gentile  must  be  broken  down.  Hts 
language  was,  “I  am  the  light  of  the  worid.  I if  I be 
lifted  up  from  the  earth,  will  draw  all  iry'ii  unto  me. 
Other  sheep  1 have  which  are  not  of  this  fold,  them  al- 
so 1 must  bring.  The  field  is  the  world.”  The  ascen- 
ding commission  of  the  Saviour  to  his  disciples  is  in  per- 
fect unison  with  the  prophetic  promises,  and  with  his 
•own  previous  instructions.  “All  power  is  given  unto 
me.”  The  world  is  redeemed.  I-t  is  placed  under 
my  control.  It  is  given  me  as  the  purchase  of  mv 
•death.  “Go  ye,  therefore,  teach  all  nations,  preach 
the  gospel  to  e\^ery  creature.” 

3.  The  labors  of  the  apostles  and  early  Christians  are 
•evidence  that  they  regarded  the  kingdom  of  Christ  as 
’universal.  Their  history  is,  that  they  went  every  whci»3 
2 


14 


preaching  the  word.  Those  nearest  to  Christ,  those 
wlio  attended  personally  on  his  ministry  made  greater 
ertbrts  than  any  succeeding  generations  ol  Christians 
have  done  to  give  the  gospel  to  all  nations.  They 
were  early  spread  abroad  among  the  remote  nations. 
And  before  the  close  of  the  first  century,  the  power 
of  the  gospel  was  felt  throughout  the  whole  Roman 
empire.  And  a heathen  governor  was  compelled  to  say 
in  view  of  the  great  and  rapid  progress  of  Christianity 
that  the  pagan  temples  had  become  almost  deserted. 

4.  We  may  be  certain  of  the  final  universal  extent 
of  Christ’s  kingdom  from  the  blessings  it  confers  on 
men.  God  is  a being  of  perfect  benevolence.  His 
beneficent  hand  tnakes  the  sun  to  rise  on  the  good  and 
on  tlie  evil.  He  sends  rain  on  the  just  and  on  the  un- 
just. Now  we  do  know  that  man  as  an  immortal  being 
receives  his  greatest  blessings  from  the  gospel  of  Christ. 
Without  this,  life  and  all  this  world’s  wealth  are  worth 
little  to  its  possessor.  It  is  under  the  infiuence  of  the 
reign  of  Christ,  that  the  desert  shall  blossom  as  the 
rose.  Peace  on  earth  and  good  will  to  men  was  its  in- 
troductory message  to  our  world.  It  is  life  to  the 
dead,  light  to  those  in  darkness.  It  will  fill  the  earth 
with  knowledge.  Its  fruits  are  rigiiteousness,  peace, 
love.  It  has  the  promise  of  the  life  that  now  is  and  of 
that  which  is  to  come. 

5.  The  rapid  preparation  made  in  heathen  lands  for 
tlie  introduction  and  spread  of  the  gospel,  show  that  the 
kingdom  of  Christ  is  to  be  finally  universally  extended. 

Almost  every  nation,  whether  pagan  popish  or  maho- 
medan,  is  in  some  way  accessible  to  Evangelical  la- 
l»ors.  Even  those  nations  that  seemeil  to  be  strong- 
est barred  against  the  introduction  of  the  gospel,  are 
unexpectedly  thrown  open,  and  invite  the  labors  of 
tiie  missionary  of  the  cross.  The  empire  of  China 
with  its  more  than  300,000,000  of  inhabitants  is  acces- 
sible to  the  labors  of  missionaries.  Its  proud  Emperor 
worshiped  by  his  subjects  as  the  son  of  heaven,  permits 


15 


the  exercise  ot'  the  Christian  religion  throughout  his  do- 
minions, and  in  the  year  ISol  there  were  seventy  five 
protestant  missionaries  laboring  in  that  Empire,  and 
inteligent  liigli  ollicers  of  goverinent  say  they  see  noth- 
ing but  good  in  tlie  religion  of  the  “western  men.” 

It  is  the  testimony  of  missionaries  who  have  long 
labored  in  Southern  India,  that  the  confidence  of  \try 
manv  of  the  discerning  and  inteligent  part  of  the  peo- 
j)le  in  their  false  systems  of  religion,  is  shaken,  and  it  is 
only  men  and  means  that  are  wanting,  to  encircle  t!ie 
whole  of  India,  containing  a population  of  1 (50, 000, 000 
with  preachers  of  the  gospel.  A missionary  of  the 
Church  Missionary  Society  in  Central  India  says,  “,\11 
India  is  open  to  the  gospel.  Every  where  our  visits  are 
welcome,  our ad>lresses  received  with  marked  attention. 
Temples  are  falling  into  ruins.  The  sacred  caste  is 
disregarded.  'I'he  llrahmin  is  constrained  to  resort  to 
labor  for  his  bread.”  The  testimony  of  our  brethn  n 
is  one  and  uniform,  and  sustained  by  the  missionaries 
of  every  denomination,  that  the  era  of  India’s  emancip- 
ation from  the  thraldom  of  idolatry  is  at  hand.  In  the 
kingdom  of  Siam,  and  almost  all  South  eastern  Asia, 
the  inhabitants  are  equally  accessible.  We  have  heard 
that  the  whole  Armenian  nation  is  calling  for  the  gos- 
pel. The  Sultan  of  Turkey  has  published  a decree  in 
favor  of  his  Christian  subjects.  Already  has  the  mission- 
ary of  the  cross  penetrated  far  into  the  interior  of 
Africa.  Tiie  isles  of  the  Sea  wait  for  .Tchovah’s  law. 

How  great  the  change.  How  rapidly  has  the  heath- 
en world  been  thrown  open  to  the  efforts  of  the  church 
for  its  evangelical  labors.  When  the  four  first  mis- 
sionaries of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.  went  out  it  was  doubt- 
ful whether  they  could  find  any  field  in  which  to  la- 
bor, and  it  was  after  long  delay  and  much  entreaty 
and  many  hinderances,  that  they  were  finally  permitted 
to  begin  their  labors  in  India.  But  now  large  and 
promising  fields  invite  the  laborers  of  Christ’s  vineyard 
to  come  to  them.  In  Asia,  in  Africa  in  the  isles  of  the 


16 

Sea,  the  gospel  may  have  free  course  run  and  he  gfori- 
fied. 

6.  The  universal  reign  of  Clirist  appears  probable, 
from  the  great  and  constantly  increasing  means,  which 
are  in  operation  to  spread  every  where  the  gospel. 

The  Bapti.st  Missionary  Society  of  England  was  form- 
ed about  tlie  close  of  the  last  century  with  a subscrip- 
tion of .‘^•70.  Its  annual  receipts  are  now  nearly  i^'l30,- 
000.  Wlien  the  London  Missionary  Soe.  was  first  form- 
ed it  was  confined  to  the  consultation  of  nine  .Ministers 
in  London.  Its  annual  receipts  are  now  nearly  ^‘400,000, 
At  the  second  annual  meeting  of  the  A.  R.  C.  F.  M.  its 
receipts  for  the  year  hatl  been  I,1G6.90.  Its  annual 
receipts  now  exceed  250.000. 

In  protestant  Christendom  there  are  now  more  than 
forty  principal  Missionary  Societies,  and  every  year  is 
ir.creasing  tlie  auinber  of  societies  and  the  amount  of 
instrumentality  employed  in  sending  the  gospel  to  the 
heatlien.  Not  long  since  the  Australian  Board  of  Miss- 
ions was  formed  in  Sidney.  Its  object  is  to  propogatc 
the  gospel  among  the  heathen  tribes  of  Australia,  New 
Caledonia,  the  Loyalty  Islands,  the  New  Hebrides, 
the  Solornan’s  Islands,  New  Hanover,  New  Britain,  and 
other  Islands  in  the  ^Vestern  Pacific  Ocean. 

In  passsiug  resolutions,  the  Society  expressed  their 
conviction,  that  it  is  the  duty  of  the  church  in  .\ustral- 
la  to  use  its  increasing  endeavors  to  extend  the  bless- 
ing of  the  gospel  to  the  heathen  trilics  and  to  bring  the 
Australian  natives  under  its  influence.  They  resolved 
that  the  foreign  efforts  of  their  Board  be  first  directed 
to  the  Islands  lying  nearest  to  .'Vustralaia.  to  the  New 
Caledonia  and  the  Loyalty  Islands,  in  the  hope  that  by 
the  blessing  of  God,  its  missioivs  may  hercaAer  be  ex- 
tended to  ail  the  heathen  tribes  inhabiting  the  islands 
of  the  Western  Pacific.  A missionary  writing  recently 
from  the  Samoan  Islands,  says,  “eighteen  years  ago 
the  inhabitants  of  these  islands  were  worshiping  idols, 
row  they  contribute  monthly  to  send  the  gospel  abroad 


17 


and  to  support  native  teachers  in  other  dark  islands.” 
In  one  year  not  long  since  the  amount  of  contributions 
in  England  from  the  children  was  ,$(3(),0()()  for  the 
spread  of  the  gospel  in  the  Islands  of  the  Pacific,  and 
in  the  United  States  the  last  year  the  amount  contribut- 
ed by  children  to  the  funds  of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.  was 
;$6,000  and  it  is  proposed  to  raise  from  the  same  source 
the  present  year  *2,000  to  support  all  the  common 
schools  under  the  care  of  the  Board  in  heathen  lands. 

Many  more  facts  might  be  added  to  show  the  in- 
crease of  Missionary  efibrts  in  heathen  lands,  and  in 
lands  till  lately  heathen. 

Surely  the  heathen  nations  will  be  Christ’s  for  his  in- 
heritance, the  remotest  portions  of  the  earth  his  posses- 
sion. Prophecy  foretold  it,  the  instructions  of  Christ, 
to  his  disciples  and  his  last  commision  to  them  teach  it. 
The  labors  of  the  first  preachers  of  Christianity  confirm 
it.  The  reign  of  Christ  will  be  universally  extended,  for 
the  blessings  conferred  by  his  reign  are  equally  necessary 
for  all.  The  way  is  opening  in  every  land.  The  inter- 
est in  the  work  is  increasing  every  successive  year. 
The  Saviour  will  see  of  the  travail  of  his  soul  and  be 
satisfied. 

And  this  leads  us  to  the  last  general  topic  of  the  dis- 
course, 

IV.  The  agency  by  which  the  kingdom  of  Christ 
is  to  be  universally  extended. 

A condition  is  stated  in  the  text.  “Ask  of  me.” 
Though  the  promise  is  irreversible,  and  the  final  posses- 
sion sure,  yet  it  was  on  condition  of  Christ’s  making 
intercession.  It  is  to  be  accomplished  by  means.  But 
how  does  Christ  ask?  Not  by  his  own  intercession  onlv 
It  is  by  the  church  that  he  asks.  By  the  prayers  and 
the  efforts  of  his  true  followers.  Christ  and  his  follow- 
ers are  in  some  respects  one.  It  is  represented  in 
scripture  that  the  union  is  very  intimate,  the  connexion 
very  close.  Indeed  they  seem  to  be  identified.  Such 
is  the  obvious  import  of  the  Saviours  pravers  for  all 
2* 


18 


who  should  become  his  followers.  “Tliat  they  may  be 
one  as  we  are  one,  I in  them  and  thou  in  me,  that  they 
fje  made  perfect  in  one.  That  they  all  may  be  one  as 
thou  Father  art  in  me  and  I in  tiree,  that  they  also 
may  be  one  in  us." 

The  Apostle  also  speaking  to  Christians  of  their  re- 
lation to  Christ  says,  We  are  co-workers  togetiter  with 
him,  joint  heirs  with  Christ,  suffer  with  him,  are 
dead  with  him,  live  wit li  him,  reign  with  him." 

The  official  relation  in  which  Christ  stands  to  the 
church  shows  tliat  the  condition  e.vpressed  in  the  text  in- 
cludes tlie  church.  ClirisI  is  king  over  Zion,  over  the 
Christian  cliurch.  And  as  a king  prospers,  and  reigns, 
and  subdues  his  enemies,  enlarges  and  holds  his  posses- 
sions by  his  subjects,  so  Christ  will  have  his  possessions 
and  his  inheritance  by  the  instrumentality  of  his  subjects, 
the  clirisiian  church.  By  them  He  asks.  By  thcn^ 
He  will  subdue  his  enemies;  and  come  into  final  and 
complete  possession  of  the  [rromised  inheritance. 

As  to  the  kind  of  agency  which  the  church  is  to 
use  to  extend  universally  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  w'e 
can  hardly  mistake.  We  know  that  the  weapons  of 
our  warfare  are  not  carnal;  Christ’s  universal  triumph 
will  be  by  means  of  the  gosjiel.  Such  is  the  language 
of  the  Bible.  It  was  early  promised  that  in  Christ  all  tlie 
families  of  the  earth  should  l>e  blessed.  It  was  in 
\ lew  of  the  jirogress  of  the  gospel  that  Christ  saw  Sa- 
fin fall  as  ligl>tiiiug  from  heaven.  It  was  his  being  lifted 
fro:i>  the  earth  tint  would  draw  all  men  unto  him. 
'I'hc  gospel  is  tlie  jiower  of  God  unto  salv.ttion.  The 
angel  Hying  througli  tlie  midst  of  heaven,  had  the  ever- 
lasting gosjjel  to  preach  to  them  tliat  chvell  on  the 
earth,  to  every  nation,  and  kindred,  and  tongue  and 
f>eople.  Every  other  insirnmentality  is  inadequate  to 
accomplisi)  the  work  of  enlightening,  civilizing,  eleva- 
ting and  saving  the  nations  of  the  earth.  Literature 
and  science  and  civilization,  all  fail  to  accomplish  it. 
The  world  by  wisdom  knew  not  God.  Heathen  na- 


19 


tions  must  nil  hear  the  gospel  of  Christ,  and  know  tlic 
true  (rod  and  Jesus.  'I'his  is  life  eternal.  The  heralds 
of  the  gos|)ol  must  go  to  every  people,  and  to  every  tribe. 
The  great  and  essential  truths  of  the  bible,  the  (Jod  and 
Saviour  it  makes  known,  the  precepts  it  inculcates,  the 
duties  it  reipiires,  must  be  proclaimed  to  those  sitting 
in  darkness  and  the  shadow  of  death. 

.Another  agency  in  extending  universally  the  reign  of 
Christ  is  the  influences  of  the  spirit  of  (Jod.  Thrs. 
agency  was  early  [)romised  in  the  work  ofs|)reading 
the  gospel.  The  apostles  were  directed  to  tarry  in  Je- 
rusalem till  they  were  endued  with  [)ower  from  oti 
high.  Tlie  dew,  the  rain,  llootls,  streams,  waters 
reviving,  refreshing,  reanimating  the  face  of  the  dry  and 
thirsty  eartli.  causing  it  to  become  verdant,  to  bud  and 
blossom  as  the  rose,  and  become  a fruitful  garden,  are 
figures  used  in  scripture  to  denote  the  precious,  abun- 
dant life  giving  influences  of  God’s  spirit;  his  agency 
in  the  spread  ot  the  gospel.  “In  the  last  days  saitli 
the  Lord.  1 will  pour  (uit  uiy  spirit  upon  all  flesh.  Un- 
til the  Spirit  be  poured  upon  us  from  on  high.  1 will 
pour  water  njron  him  tliat  is  thirsty  and  Hoods  upon 
the  dry  ground.  He  sitall  come  down  like  rain  upon 
the  grass,  and  as  showers  that  water  the  earth.”  In 
full  accordaueft  with  these  promises  of  the  Spirit  was 
the  promise  of  Clirist  to  his  disciples.  “I  w ill  send  the 
Comforter,  il.e  Spirit  of  truth.  He  shall  abide  with 
vou  forever.’’  When  the  Apostles  had  received  their 
commission  to  go  and  disciple  all  nations,  and  were  a- 
l)ont  to  enter  o>i  their  work,  they  were  fiirccted  to  tarry 
in  Jerusalem  till  they  should  receive  the  endowment  of 
the  Spirit. 

The  history  of  the  gospel’s  greatest  success  both  in 
earlier  and  later  ages,  tcacli  ns  that  it  is  by  the  Spirit’s 
.Agency,  that  the  gospel  wall  be  rapidly  spread,  univer- 
sally extended,  and  the  kingdom  of  Christ  become  fin- 
ally universally  triumphant.  The  apostle  assured  the 
wondering  multitude  on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  that  the 


20 


astonishing  scenes  which  they  witnessed,  were  a fulfill- 
ment of  the  Spirits  agency  in  the  work  of  extending 
the  kingdom  of  Christ.  And  when  the  same  apostle 
carried  the  gospel  to  the  gentile  nations,  and  preached 
to  them  salvation  throiight  a crucified,  risen,  and  ascen- 
ded Saviour,  “Then  the  Holy  Ghost  fell  on  them  that 
heard  the  word,  and  they  were  astonished  because  that 
on  them  also  w'as  poured  out  the  gift  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.” 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  add,  that  the  active  and  de- 
voted agency  of  the  whole  Christian  church  is  necessary 
to  the  universal  and  triumphant  extent  of  Christ’s  king- 
dom. There  must  be  the  united,  increased,  persevering, 
prayerful,  zealous  eftorts  of  all  the  followers  of  Christ. 
The  petition,  “thy  kingdom  come,”  must  be  offered  with 
unfeigned  lips,  accompanied  with  a corresponding  con- 
secration of  men  and  means  on  the  part  of  those  w'ho 
pray.  Pastors  of  churches,  teachers  of  Sabbath  Schools 
and  those  to  wliom  is  entrusted  the  training  of  the 
young  must  cultivate  in  them  the  spirit  of  consecration 
to  the  service  of  Christ.  Every  professed  follower  of 
the  Saviour  must  be  interested  in  this  work.  The  com- 
mission embraces  all.  The  greatness  of  the  work  de- 
mands the  help  of  all. 

It  is  with  the  design  of  engaging  a pr>rtion  of  the 
Christian  church  in  the  work  of  extending  the  king- 
dom of  Christ,  that  the  “Hawaiian  Missionary  Society” 
has  been  organized,  the  object  of  which  tlie  Constitution 
says,  “Shall  be  the  propogafion  of  Evangelical  Christian- 
ity in  the  Islands  of  the  Pacific,  or  in  other  parts  of  the 
world.” 

The  reasons  for  such  an  organization  are  obvious. 

'Phere  are  more  than  twenty  thousand  members 
connected  with  the  different  churches  in  the  Islands. 
So  large  a community  of  professing  Christians,  ought 
to  be  enlisted  in  the  great  w'ork  which  the  church  of 
Christ  has  to  do.  We  know  of  now  reason  why  they 


21 


slioulil  be  an  exception  to  the  command  of  the  Savioer 
to  his  followers,  to  send  the  gospel  to  all  nations.  If  ttiev 
give  out  of  their  deep  poverty,  it  is  no  more  than  what 
the  first  Christian  chnrchcs  did  gathered  from  heathen 
nations,  and  for  which  they  received  the  commenda- 
tion of  an  insj)ircd  .-\postle.  And  it  is  only  what 
thousands  of  Christians  in  other  lands  are  doing  at  th(‘ 
liresent  day. 

'The  annual  amount  contributed  bv  the  llawaiiat> 
Churches,  calls  for  such  an  organization  os  this  Society 
is.  For  a long  time  the  native  churches  have  Ix'en  in- 
structed in  the  dnt,v  of  Ivlping  in  the  greet  work  of 
extending  the  gospel  of  Christ.  And  they  have  cheer- 
fully resoonded  to  calls  made  upon  them  for  contribu- 
tions. When  the  French  IVolcstant  Missionary  Socie- 
ty of  Paris  made  an  a[>peal  to  the  churclit  s in  the  T ni- 
ted  States  in  behalf  of  their  Missions  in  South  Africa, 
and  that  appeal  was  made  known  to  the  churches  itr 
these  Islands,  their  contributions  to  that  M ission  amount- 
ed to  !j^5‘29.83.  During  the  last  financial  year  of  the  A. 
n.  C.  F.  M.  donations  were  received  from  the 
Hawaiian  churches  and  acknowledged  in  the  Missionary 
Herald  of  that  year  to  the  amount  of  ^'‘1,108.88  and 
the  whole  amount  contributed  by  these  churches  for 
the  year  ending  May,  1851,  amounted  to  i^l5,9G.5. 
By  the  influence  of  this  Society,  we  may  hope  that  the 
churches  here  will  continue  to  labor  systematically 
and  eftectually,  and  cooperate  with  other  portions  of 
the  church  in  extending  universally  the  kingdom  of 
Christ. 

What  has  been  done  for  the  Hawaiian  nation  is  a 
consideration  which  should  induce  them  to  aid  in  sen- 
ding the  gospel  to  those  yet  destitute  of  it.  The 
American  churches  have  expended  nearly  $‘800,000  to 
plant  the  institutions  of  the  gospel  in  these  islands  to 
support  schools,  to  distribute  the  bible  andotlur  books. 
They  have  sent  a large  number  of  Missionaries  and  as- 


22 


sistant  Missionaries  to  this  field.  Freely  they  have  re- 
ceived. Verily  they  are  debtors.  The  Hawaiian  na- 
tion is  indebted  to  the  gospel  for  tlie  light  and  knowl- 
edge, and  lil)erty  they  enjoy.  And  is  it  too  much  to 
expect  of  them  lliat  being  made  partakers  of  all  the 
precious  blessings  and  privileges  which  the  gospel  con- 
fers, tliey  in  their  turn  aid  in  imparting  it  to  others. 
Freely  tliey  have  received  freely  they  may  be  expecteil 
to  give. 

The  effect  of  sucli  efi’orts  by  the  church  here  will  be 
beneficial  to  themselves.  The  reflex  influence  of  Mis- 
sions generally  is  a sound  argument  in  their  favor. 
It  is  in  accordance  with  the  divine  plan  of  bestowing 
blessings.  “Cast  thy  bread  upon  the  waters  and  thou 
shall  find  it  after  many  days.  lie  that  watereth,  shall 
be  watered  also  himself.  He  that  soweth  bountifully 
shall  reap  also  bountifully.”  A most  powerful  and  ef- 
ficacious way  of  firomoting  religion  at  home  is  for  the 
church  to  exert  itself  to  send  the  gospel  abroad.  “There 
is  that  maketh  himself  poor  and  yet  hath  great  riches. 
There  is  that  scattereth  and  yet  increaseth.” 

It  is  in  accordance  both  with  the  examples  ami  pre- 
cepts of  the  bible,  that  churches  like  these  contribute  to 
the  spread  of  the  gospel.  Are  they  poor?  The  poor 
widow,  who  threw  into  the  Lord’s  treasury  more  than 
they  all,  was  publicly  commended  by  the  Saviour,  be- 
cause she  of  her  want  did  cast  in  all  that  she  had,  even 
all  her  living.  And  the  early  Christians  brought  all  their 
pos.sessions  and  consecrated  them  to  the  service  of 
Christ.  'I’he  churches  gathered  by  the  Apostles  from  a- 
mong  the  heathen,  were  exhorted  to  lay  by  weekly  from 
their  gains  for  t!ie  service  of  Christ  as  he  had  prospered 
them;  and  they  were  commended  by  the  apostle  be- 
cause that  in  a great  trial  of  allliction  the  abundance 
of  their  joy  and  their  deep  i>overty,  abounded  unto 
the  riches  of  their  liberality.  For  to  their  power,  yea,  be- 
yond their  power  they  were  willing. 


23 


Let  me  in  conclusion  call  your  attention  to  tlio 
change  wliich  has  come  over  these  Islands  for  the  last 
quarter  of  a century,  as  illustrating  the  kind  of  agency 
l)y  which  Christ’s  kingdom  is  to  be  universally  exten- 
ded. The  preaching  of  the  gospel  has  been  the  chief 
instrument  in  effecting  the  change.  With  it  have  been 
associated  those  powerful  auxiliaries,  the  press,  schools 
of  different  kinds,  the  circulation  of  the  bible  and  other 
books.  By  such  agency  God  has  been  glorified  in 
these  isles  of  the  Sea. 

The  following  language  has  been  used  as  descriptive 
of  the  Hawaiian  nation  thirty  years  ago,  “The  deepest 
darkness  of  barbarian  paganism  enveloped  all  the  Is- 
lands. The  land  was  full  of  <larkness,  folly,  inicjuity. 
oppression,  pain  and  death.  It  was  a nation  of  igno- 
rant, naked,  drunken,  fighting  savages,  covered  with 
filth  and  scars  from  self-inflicted  wounds;  without  a so- 
cial tie  that  might  not  be  broken  at  any  moment;  the 
slaves  of  superstition,  hateful  and  hating  one  another.” 
The  pioneers  in  the  work  of  introducing  and  establish- 
ing the  kingdom  of  Christ  here,  writing  to  their  Chris- 
tian brethren  in  the  United  States  during  the  first 
year  of  their  residence  in  the  Islands  say,  “This  is  a 
dark  land  of  pollution  and  the  shadow  of  death.”  Con- 
trasting that  picture  with  the  occasion  of  our  gathering 
this  evening,  a Hawaiian  Missionary  Society  organ- 
ized to  aid  in  sending  the  gospel  to  other  Islands  of 
the  Pacific  or  to  other  portions  of  the  heathen  world, 
we  are  constrained  to  exclaim,  w'hat  hath  God 
wrought. 

And  may  we  not  hope  that  every  Christian  every  phi- 
lanthropist, will  lend  his  aid  to  the  object  which  this 
Society  has  in  view'.  Its  Missionaries  and  teachers  in 
their  new  and  untried  field  of  labor,  will,  we  feel  as- 
sured, have  the  aid  of  your  prayers,  your  sympathies, 
and  your  contributions.  Ere  long  the  w'hole  earth  w’ill 
be  encircled  with  the  heralds  of  the  gospel.  Christ  will 


24 


4iave  the  heathen  for  his  inheritance,  the  utcrniost  parts 
-*>fthe  earth  for  l»is  possesion.  Every  continent  and 
■every  island  shall  echo  the  triumphant  song  of  the  heav- 
ly  choir,  kmgdoms  of  this  ivorld  are  become  the 

Jimgdoms  of  our  Lord,  and  of  his  Christ;  and  hvf 
^hall  reign  forever  and  ever.'' 


DATE  DUE 


JAt^  2 0 

73 

1 

GAYLORD 

PRINTED  IN  U.  S.  A. 

